GLG 101 Week 1 Appendix C - Minerals
Assignment: Minerals
• Resources: Ch. 2 of the text, Virtual Mineral Lab, and Appendixes B & C
• Conduct the minerals lab by clicking on the following link: http://corptrain.phoenix.edu/
%5Cvirtual_lab/virtual_lab.html.
• Use the mineral worksheet found in Appendix B to record your observations and results in
identifying different minerals.
• Write a summary answering the following: What are the four requirements for a material to be
classified as a mineral? How do you differentiate between minerals? Briefly summarize the six
methods to tell minerals apart. Summarize the major differences between minerals and rocks.
• Post your Mineral Identification Worksheets and summary as an attachment in the individual
forum.
• Due day 7.

• Review Appendix A and choose a region or state that you plan to research for your final
project.
• Submit your chosen region or state to your instructor in the individual forum for approval.

GLG 101 Week 1 Checkpoint - The Study of
the Earth
CheckPoint: Study of Earth
• Resources: Ch. 1 of the text and Nebular Theory animation
• Write a 200- to 300-word description of the three branches and three systems of geology.
• Review the animation at
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com:8100/legacy/college/skinner/0471152285/animations/animat
ions/mod_1/nebular_theory.html
• Respond to the following: According to the nebular theory, how did the solar system develop?
How is uniformitarianism related to the evolution of Earth and the solar system?
• Post your description and responses in the individual forum.
• Due day 5.

• Resource: Ch. 3 of the text and p. 12 of Geoscience Laboratory
• Post your responses to the following in the individual forum:
o Review Figure 3.6 on p. 68 of the text. How do fossils help in determining the relative age of
strata? Are the three different localities around the same relative age? Explain your response.
o Reference p. 12 of the lab book. What periods are the fossils from in Figure 3.6? What does
this say about the area in Figure 3.6?

GLG 101 Week 3 Assignment - Earthquakes
Assignment: Earthquakes
• Resources: Ch. 4 & 5 of the text and online animations
• Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper that distinguishes the types of plate margins and how they
move. Also, discuss why earthquakes are common along plate margins or boundaries.
• Respond to the following in your paper:
o When the Earth does quake and shake, how does it move?
o What are the events that cause the Earth to quake and shake?
o How are earthquakes measured?
o Briefly describe the two types of body waves an earthquake creates.
• Provide an example, in your paper, of an area that is prone to earthquakes. Review the Ring of
Fire animation at
http://www.wiley.com/college/strahler/0471480533/animations/ch14_animations/walk_ring_fire.
html if you need assistance with locating an area.

GLG 101 Week 5 Assignment - Sedimentary
Rocks
Assignment: Sedimentary Rocks
• Resources: Ch. 8 of the text and the Clastic Sedimentary Rocks animation
• View the animation at
http://www.wiley.com/college/strahler/0471480533/animations/ch12_animations/animation2.htm
l
• Write a 700-word paper that provides an overview of how plate tectonics affects sedimentation.
Answer the following questions:
o Where do sedimentary rocks originate?
o How are they formed?
o What are the three categories of sedimentary rocks?
o What are the distinguishing characteristics between the three categories of rocks?
• Post your paper as an attachment in the individual forum.
• Due day 7

GLG 101 Week 7 Assignment - Deserts,
Glaciers and Climate
Assignment: Deserts, Glaciers, and Climate
• Resources: Ch. 13 of the text, China Desert video, and online animations
• Review the following Ch. 13 video, China Desert:
http://www.wiley.com/college/murck/0471747270/ngs_videos/china_desert/index.html
• Review the following animations:
o Types of Dunes:
http://www.wiley.com/college/strahler/0471480533/animations/ch19_animations/animation4.htm
l
o Glacial Landforms:
http://www.wiley.com/college/strahler/0471480533/animations/ch20_animations/glaciers.html
• Compare and contrast the geological features of a desert landscape and glacial landscape.
Describe at least one process that creates the resulting landforms of each.
• Review pp. 402–410 on Global Climate Change. Respond to the following:
• Summarize the climate changes that have occurred from the past to the present. Responses
must be a minimum of 350 words.
• Predict what you think the Earth will look like into the 21st century. Consider the weather and
changes in geological features. Responses must be a minimum of 350 words.
• Post your responses together in the individual forum. Responses must be a minimum of 350
words each.
• Due day 7.

GLG 101 Week 9 Final Project - Factors and
Forces of Geological Features
Final Project: Title Factors and Forces of Geological Features
• Resources: U.S. Geological Survey Web site and Appendix A
• Choose a state or one of the following regions:

o Region 1: Interior Plain
o Region 2: Appalachian Highlands
o Region 3: Rocky Mountain System
o Region 4: Pacific Mountain System
o Region 5: Atlantic Plain
• Review the different regions at: http://tapestry.usgs.gov/
• Create a 12- to 15-slide Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentation for your selected state or
region.
• Address the following in your presentation:
o Describe the various geologic events that have occurred in your region.
o Describe the geological features and various types of rocks that formed in the area. Examples
are mountains, craters, canyons, volcanoes, fault lines, or folds.
o Choose one of these geological features to research. What is the most prevalent rock type of
the feature? Describe the mineral composition of the rock type.
o How old is your geologic feature? Estimate the absolute age of the geological feature, and
discuss methods used to determine the age.
o What geologic event created your chosen geological feature? Discuss the process of plate
tectonics related to the formation.
o Discuss the significance of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks in your region.
o Discuss the types of weathering and erosion processes that has most likely affected the physical
appearance of your geological feature.
o Discuss any significant water, ocean, desert, or glacial features associated with your region,
and the process involved with creating one of them.
o Discuss resources that are abundant in the region and the importance and economic value of
this resource to the region or nation.
o In conclusion, discuss why you selected this geological feature for your written assignment.
o Include graphics
o Include details in speaker notes
• Format your paper according to APA guidelines.
• Post your paper as an attachment in the individual forum.